Author: Jeff

The two seeds were 1 Down (which also accounts for the title) and 5 Down (because I’ve had the clue for a while and finally put the answer in a puzzle).

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Midi

Themed

Gaia Glamor Shots

Flying over the Alps, March 2019 – about as close to outer space as I’m likely to get

Words: 72

Average Length: 5.22

I could have saved this puzzle for Earth Day, assuming it’s not outlawed by the Despoiler of All Things Precious and Good, but I’ve been making my way through Cixin Liu’s brilliant “Three-Body Problem” trilogy and felt compelled to publish it a month early.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Earth, Medium Difficulty, Themed crossword

Uncategorized

It’s a Stretch

New travel t-shirts – nothing to do with the puzzle, but I’m ready for my trip to Japan in a week and a half.

Words: 30 (9×9)

Average Length: 4.60

The 4 grid-spanning answers are clued as rebuses, so think a little outside the box.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Themeless

Themeless 98

Post author By Jeff
Post date March 2, 2025
1 Comment on Themeless 98

Dessert (see 16 Across clue). My wife baked this cake a couple of weeks ago. It was even better than it looks!

Words: 72

Average Length: 5.25

The two grid-spanners were the seeds for this moderately challenging themeless. If you’ve never heard the song clued at 35 Across, here’s a link. It’s gorgeous.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Pure Prairie League, Themeless Crossword

Midi

That’s All Folks!

“Checkpoint Charlie,” Berlin (see 16 Down). Note the juxtaposition between the sign and the McDonald’s. Photo taken July 2013.

Words: 40 (11×11)

Average Length: 5.15

This one started as a random idea – gee, I wonder how many times I could reasonably (without compromising fill) cram the most common word in the English language into a midi crossword? The answer: six as the word itself – with double credit going to certain post-punk band (23 Down) – as well as three more times where the letter string appears. The title references Porky Pig’s famous closing line in the Looney Tunes cartoons, which should make sense if you think about it.

I’m happy to shout out Tom Lehrer (6 Down), a long-time math professor at Harvard with a second career as a writer of satirical, mostly political songs. Here’s a link to the one in the puzzle, which isn’t political but does concern science, so maybe these days it’s somehow controversial after all.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Midi, Tom Lehrer

Themed

Paternal Music

See 25 Down. Photo taken in Nusfjord, Norway, June 2017.

Words: 73

Average Length: 5.15

This grid is inspired by common ground between a reggaeton star, an indie solo artist, and a nu metal band.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Medium Difficulty, Music, Themed crossword

Midi

Spaceman Spiff

Hungarian Parliament (see 13 Across) (Photo taken July 2023)

Words: 26

Average Length: 5.15

Unlike many comics from the ‘80s and early ’90s, Calvin & Hobbes holds up brilliantly. (Speaking of comic recommendations, I am besotted with Nathan W. Pyle’s gentle, funny, and profound Strange Planet webcomic. Check it out if it’s new to you.)

The title of this puzzle, of course, is one of Calvin’s alter egos. Interestingly – draw whatever conclusions you wish – I typed the title as “Spaceman Spliff” and didn’t notice until I’d finished cluing the grid.

online | puz | pdf | solution

Tags Calvin and Hobbes, Medium Difficulty, Midi, Nathan W. Pyle, Strange Planet

Cryptic

Cryptic 1: Pol Known To Spout Off

Post author By Jeff
Post date February 17, 2025
1 Comment on Cryptic 1: Pol Known To Spout Off

Brisbane, Australia (Dec. 2024), home of Monika and Peter, who introduced me to cryptic crosswords and contributed mightily to our championship trivia team

I’ve been leery of/baffled by cryptic puzzles for years. While on a trip last December, though, I started solving one with two Australian friends (hi, Monika and Peter!), and I truly enjoyed the experience. Since then, I’ve worked on my still-larval cryptic solving chops with the invaluable aid of some entertaining, educational puzzles posted on Crosshare by Melanie, Sammisamsam, Nate, Jason, and others. I’ve also assiduously solved the daily “Easy Cryptic” at Simply Daily Puzzles, which is both approachable and full of delightful Britishisms.

All of which is background for this grid – my first effort at “setting” a cryptic. I hope you enjoy it!!!

online | puz | pdf | solution